Catch up on the weekend’s top five stories with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. News Corp (NWS) is nearing an agreement to purchase the consumer arm of educational publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMHC), The Wall Street Journal’s Jeffrey Trachtenberg and Dana Cimilluca reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal, which the people said could be announced as early as Monday, would add a portfolio of high-profile novels from authors such as George Orwell, Philip Roth and J.R.R. Tolkien to News Corp’s HarperCollins Publishers division, the authors noted. 2. According to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, the U.S. isn’t ready to lift tariffs on Chinese imports in the near future, but might be open to trade negotiations with Beijing, The Wall Street Journal’s Bob Davis and Yuka Hayashi reported. Tai said she recognized that the tariffs can exact a toll on U.S. businesses and consumers, though proponents have said they also help shield companies from subsidized foreign competition. 3. Tax Day comes and Tax Day goes, but H&R Block (HRB) might someday be a stock for all seasons, Carleton English wrote in this week’s edition of Barron’s. H&R Block is diversifying its business following years of underperformance, the author noted. The plan could take longer than expected, though its 5.3% dividend yield means that investors are paid to wait for good things to happen, English added. 4. Comcast (CMCSA) subsidiary Universal’s “Nobody” opened to $6.7M domestically as more locations in Los Angeles and the rest of West Coats reopen. Overseas, the movie has amassed $5M. However, the big headline of the weekend internationally was AT&T (T) subsidiary Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which launched to a pandemic-best $121.8M, including $70.3M in China alone. 5. Welbilt (WBT), AT&T, Coca-Cola (KO), Consolidated Edison (ED), IBM (IBM), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Kellogg (K), Procter & Gamble (PG), SL Green Realty (SLG), U.S. Bancorp (USB) and Verizon (VZ) saw positive mentions in this week’s edition of Barron’s.
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